St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Race Heads to December Runoff Between Seuzeneau and Hodges

St. Tammany Parish voters will return to the polls December 12, 2026, to select their next sheriff after Daniel Seuzeneau and Robert Hodges emerged as the leading candidates in the November 3 election. Neither candidate secured the majority required to win outright, sending the closely watched contest into a runoff. The election comes during a difficult period for the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, with concerns surrounding jail conditions, financial oversight and public confidence shaping discussions about the agency’s future. Both candidates have outlined plans for addressing those challenges, giving voters across the parish several differences to consider before making their final choice.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Election Results

Unofficial election returns showed Seuzeneau leading the four-candidate field with approximately 46% of the vote, followed by Hodges with about 32%. Former U.S. Marshal Scott Illing and retired St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office lieutenant David Maki each received approximately 11%. With 170 of 171 precincts reporting late Tuesday, Seuzeneau had received 44,929 votes compared with 31,321 for Hodges. The results established a substantial first-round lead for Seuzeneau, although the figures remained unofficial.

Seuzeneau and Hodges are both Republicans, while Illing also ran as a Republican and Maki entered the race without a party affiliation. Louisiana’s open primary system allows voters to select among candidates regardless of party affiliation, with a runoff required when no candidate receives a majority. The December election will narrow the choice to two experienced law enforcement officials who have presented different approaches to managing the Sheriff’s Office. The remaining question is whether Seuzeneau can maintain his November advantage or whether Hodges can attract enough additional support to win.

Former Sheriff Randy Smith’s Resignation Led to Special Election

The St. Tammany Parish sheriff’s election follows the resignation of former Sheriff Randy Smith in June 2026 after he pleaded guilty to second-degree battery and a misdemeanor charge connected to an altercation at a Madisonville restaurant. His departure created an unexpected leadership vacancy in one of the parish’s largest law enforcement agencies. Veteran deputy Bret Ibert was appointed interim sheriff and has continued overseeing operations during the transition. Ibert did not seek the elected position and has indicated that he plans to retire when the incoming sheriff assumes office.

Smith’s resignation placed renewed attention on the Sheriff’s Office’s leadership, internal accountability and relationship with the public. Residents have also been following disagreements over correctional funding and the deteriorating condition of the parish jail. The next sheriff will inherit those unresolved issues while managing daily law enforcement responsibilities throughout St. Tammany Parish. Both candidates have described restoring public confidence as a priority, although their proposals emphasize different management strategies.

Daniel Seuzeneau Focuses on Financial Oversight and Community Accountability

Daniel Seuzeneau, 43, brings more than two decades of law enforcement experience with the Slidell Police Department, where he served in several positions before becoming interim police chief in 2025. His background includes patrol operations, criminal investigations, administrative management and public communications. Seuzeneau has emphasized his experience managing departmental finances and working directly with residents, government officials and other law enforcement agencies. His campaign presents that combination of operational and administrative experience as preparation for overseeing the larger parishwide Sheriff’s Office.

Seuzeneau’s proposals include conducting a forensic audit of the Sheriff’s Office to examine contracts, purchasing decisions, vendor relationships and major expenditures. He has also proposed establishing an online public records portal that would allow residents to follow requests for government information. Another part of his plan involves reviewing opportunities to combine certain training programs and technology resources used by local law enforcement agencies. His campaign argues that better coordination could reduce duplicated expenses, although any actual savings would depend on the cost and scope of those changes.

Community policing is another focus of Seuzeneau’s platform. He wants to assign deputies as designated contacts for specific areas of St. Tammany Parish, giving residents a more direct way to communicate neighborhood concerns. His proposals also include voluntary individual meetings with Sheriff’s Office employees to better understand workplace problems and departmental priorities. These measures would require the incoming administration to establish procedures for addressing employee recommendations and community concerns rather than simply collecting feedback.

Robert Hodges Emphasizes State Police Leadership and Specialized Investigations

Robert Hodges, 54, previously served as superintendent of the Louisiana State Police following a law enforcement career spanning more than three decades. His background includes patrol work, criminal investigations, senior management and coordination with law enforcement agencies throughout Louisiana. According to his campaign, Hodges supervised approximately 2,800 employees and managed a budget exceeding $650 million while leading State Police. He has pointed to that statewide experience as evidence of his ability to manage the personnel, finances and public safety responsibilities associated with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Hodges has proposed creating an online financial reporting system that would make Sheriff’s Office expenditures easier for the public to examine. His campaign also calls for a dedicated cybercrime unit to investigate online exploitation, digital offenses and crimes involving children. Another proposal involves developing specialized forensic examination resources to strengthen investigations involving sexual assault. Those initiatives would require decisions about staffing, training, equipment and coordination with existing investigative and medical services.

Hodges has also emphasized cooperation among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. During the campaign, he highlighted his experience helping establish Louisiana State Police Troop NOLA, an initiative intended to strengthen law enforcement activity in the New Orleans area. His campaign has argued that established relationships with prosecutors and neighboring agencies would help him address crimes crossing jurisdictional boundaries. Hodges has presented professional standards, deputy support and stronger supervision as central parts of his approach to restoring confidence in the department.

St. Tammany Parish Jail Funding Remains a Major Election Issue

The condition of the St. Tammany Parish Jail has become one of the most pressing concerns facing the next sheriff. Reports of failing air conditioning systems, plumbing problems, mold and closed housing areas have raised questions about how the facility can continue operating without substantial repairs. Interim Sheriff Bret Ibert has warned that financial shortages could force the agency to redirect money from other operations to maintain the jail. Those expenses are connected to broader disagreements over how parish government funds correctional services and other parts of the criminal justice system.

St. Tammany Parish’s proposed 2027 budget has drawn criticism from officials concerned about reductions affecting the jail, courts and District Attorney’s Office. Local reporting indicates that proposed jail funding would fall from more than $6 million to approximately $3.5 million, leaving significant questions about maintenance and operating expenses. The budget pressures extend beyond the Sheriff’s Office because court proceedings, prosecution services and correctional operations depend on several separate government agencies. Whoever wins the runoff will need to work with parish officials to determine which expenses must be addressed immediately and how remaining costs will be funded.

Seuzeneau and Hodges Offer Different Approaches to Jail Operations

Seuzeneau has proposed reviewing the jail’s operating structure, including the possibility of public-private partnerships or private management if an independent evaluation demonstrates benefits. His campaign also supports establishing supervised inmate work programs that could provide job experience while assisting with appropriate facility maintenance projects. These proposals would require careful review of security procedures, legal requirements, supervision costs and the qualifications needed to perform particular repairs. Seuzeneau has stated that major changes should follow a transparent evaluation rather than an immediate commitment to a different operating model.

Hodges has emphasized restoring correctional programs and examining the department’s existing operations before making changes. During a WDSU candidate discussion, he identified the restoration of work-release opportunities as a goal, arguing that the program could be resumed rather than eliminating existing services. His campaign has placed greater emphasis on experienced management and professional accountability when discussing the department’s overall direction. Both candidates would still face the same underlying financial limitations, regardless of their preferred operating approach.

December Sales Tax Proposal Adds Another Important Decision

St. Tammany Parish voters are also scheduled to consider a proposed quarter-cent sales tax during the December 12 election. The measure would establish a 0.25% sales tax for five years, with revenue dedicated to criminal justice services if approved. Funding would support several agencies and operations, including the courts, District Attorney’s Office, parish jail, Coroner’s Office and related facilities. The proposal has attracted attention because existing financial pressures could affect the ability of those agencies to maintain services in 2027.

The proposed tax would add 25 cents to every $100 in taxable purchases, although total sales tax rates would continue to vary among municipalities and unincorporated communities. Supporters have described the measure as a way to address immediate funding shortages, while some residents have questioned whether additional taxes are the right long-term solution. Parish leaders have also discussed reviewing government spending and the local tax structure to identify other options. The outcome could influence the resources available to the incoming sheriff during the first months of the new administration.

Public Trust and Employee Leadership Shape the Runoff

Leadership concerns have remained a recurring issue throughout the sheriff’s campaign, particularly following the circumstances surrounding Smith’s departure. The Sheriff’s Office employs hundreds of deputies, correctional officers, investigators, dispatchers and civilian personnel whose work depends on clear supervision and established procedures. Both Seuzeneau and Hodges have said employees deserve dependable leadership and professional treatment. Their proposals place different levels of emphasis on administrative reviews, financial reporting, specialized investigations and departmental communication.

The St. Tammany ChamberPAC recognized both candidates during the initial campaign, issuing a co-endorsement after interviewing the four individuals seeking the position. The organization cited qualifications, professional experience, leadership and public service considerations in explaining its selections. Its decision did not establish a preference between the two candidates now advancing to the runoff. Parish voters will ultimately decide which background and management approach they believe is better suited to the Sheriff’s Office’s current needs.

Why the Sheriff Election Matters Throughout St. Tammany Parish

The responsibilities of the St. Tammany Parish sheriff extend far beyond one municipality or neighborhood. Residents of unincorporated areas rely heavily on the Sheriff’s Office for routine patrols, emergency response, investigations and other law enforcement services. Municipal police departments maintain primary responsibility within their respective jurisdictions, while the Sheriff’s Office provides broader services, operates the parish jail and cooperates with other agencies. Decisions involving staffing, equipment and resource allocation can affect residents in western, central and eastern St. Tammany Parish.

Communities surrounding Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, Abita Springs, Pearl River, Lacombe and Slidell have different geographic and public safety considerations. Rural neighborhoods may face longer travel distances for responding deputies, while more populated areas may require coordinated investigations and additional patrol resources. The next sheriff will need to consider those differences when evaluating personnel assignments, emergency preparedness and cooperation with municipal departments. Effective parishwide leadership will depend on maintaining services across the entire jurisdiction rather than concentrating attention on any single community.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Runoff Scheduled for December 12

St. Tammany Parish residents will choose between Daniel Seuzeneau and Robert Hodges on Saturday, December 12, 2026. The Louisiana Secretary of State lists November 28 through December 5 as the early voting period, excluding Sunday, November 29. Residents who need to confirm their registration status, assigned polling location or available voting options can use the state’s GeauxVote system. The runoff winner will complete the remaining portion of the current sheriff’s term, with the office scheduled to return to voters during the regular 2027 election cycle.

The weeks leading up to the runoff will give both candidates another opportunity to explain how they would address the Sheriff’s Office’s financial and operational challenges. Jail conditions, public spending, employee leadership and cooperation among law enforcement agencies remain important considerations for parish residents. The December election will determine who takes responsibility for those issues as St. Tammany Parish enters another period of budget negotiations and departmental changes. The outcome will influence the Sheriff’s Office’s direction across the parish well beyond the campaign itself.

Sources

Vic Sage

Vic Sage is an investigative journalist from Slidell, Louisiana, known for reporting on local government, public records, corruption, and the everyday issues affecting St. Tammany Parish residents. His work focuses on clear, fact-based storytelling that holds officials accountable and gives local readers a deeper look at the decisions shaping their community.